Thank you for posting Mrs Lee’s picture. You rarely see a picture of her. Her family paid dearly during the Civil War losing this house and Arlington House. She basically raised her family herself with General Lee assigned all over the country during his career. Enjoyed the video.
I am found it interesting one of the soldiers who had fought as a Union soldier was saying one of the lines of men who were shooting at the soldiers who were running towards them no fear in their charge. And he said every single time his gun was ready to fire again he said I saw a mountain of bodies laying and the people were still trying to climb over those bodies to get to that area take it and he said I was crying so hard I couldn't see because of the tears flowing out. And he said all of us were shouting at the Confederate forces to please go away to not kill themselves by running into those bullets. I read likewise Memoirs from the Confederates as well talking about how much they hated the fact that they were killing so many men each battle.
The moments of kind civility, honor, integrity shown with manners in the face of horror and violence as reported during the Civil War and magnified in the POW Camps on both sides never cease to amaze.
Virgil Caine is my name and I drove on the Danville train 'Til so much cavalry came and tore up the tracks again In the winter of '65, we were hungry, just barely alive I took the train to Richmond that fell It was a time I remember, oh so well Back with my wife in Tennessee and one day she said to me "Virgil, quick, come see, there goes Robert E. Lee" Now, I don't mind, I'm chopping wood And I don't care if the money's no good Just take what you need and leave the rest But they should never have taken the very best
It's great to listen to you talk about an area I know well. Growing up in Hanover County, I hunted for many years on the grounds of Marlbourn (known by another name today) and fished the Pamunkey River in the area of "White House" for even more.
As a former member of the US Army Transportation Corp, I smiled when I heard the cumbersome title of the White House logistical study. Army-speak as I remember it!
I saw someone ask why people were so ugly back then. She is not ugly. She looks retrospective and solemn. Walk a mile in her shoes. Life was difficult back then. Antibiotics, vaccines, and modern medical knowledge about diseases was nonexistent. Proper nutrition and cleanliness was not understood. Therefore, the death of loved ones was a constant threat. Americans were fighting a war against Americans on our soil!
As a young woman she was beautiful! She suffered from rheumatoid arthritis which I am sure aged her! I have both lupus and RA and I know how you suffer! Patricia Gambino Harrington
Beauty was judged differently throughout history and she was considered to be old age at that time. No makeup back in that time period, a lot of todays women without makeup would not be any beauties either
I remember reading Shelby Footes books about the Civil War when he said about it that the Americans say it was the greatest wars ever fought by Americans. Because it was an American war but it was an American war against Americans. He said that one of the biggest problems with that was that one of the greatest things an asset to the American culture had always been one of compromise. But the compromising Spirit wasn't going on when it got to the 1860s. He spoke with the Widow of one of the generals she let him take the Confederate soldiers sword and wave it in the air like as if he was on the Battlefront. He told the Widow that he thought her and Abraham Lincoln were the smartest people who would been alive at that time. And her response made him chuckle. She said and I quote our family never had a lot of regard for Mr Abraham Lincoln the president. That was the kind of way of speaking from that era.
Right. She just looks like a nice elderly intelligent lady who has had a hard life even tho she had slaves. Plantation wives were often in charge of the welfare and management of the slaves, which included medical care and childbirth if there was no midwife. Sometimes they taught them skills such as how to cook foods that they were not accustomed to., and housekeeping for those fresh from a totally different state of living in Africa, (even now that's true). Some did a good job, some didn't.
@@charliebrownie4158if you are going to quote, you should just use "quotes". 😊 then we know when your quote begins and ends. And... not trying to be mean, just to understand... I'm wondering how this relates to the comment it is under? 🤔
The Union troops may have respected her house - but her Church - St. Peter's - they did not. They stabled their horses in the church and carved their names in the bricks. I was on a government review once dealing with the color of title for land that was initially part of the Louisiana Purchase and therefore initially owned by the Government until it could be patented out. The Civil War caused an issue on tracing land titles in many of those counties. We were told that, upon invading a county, the Union Army frequently did 2 things - burned the courthouses as they were the seat of the county government and desecrated many of the churches as they had done in New Kent. Unfortunately the courthouses held the land records including the original patents and complicated title searches.
Although not surprising at all, I've always wondered about that, the difficulty in doing title searches when original courthouse records were destroyed; with ur past experience, how do u think legitimate property owners (re)established their ownership rights when said original land title records (incl mortgages/trust deeds & notes) were essentially lost?🤔 Thanks😃🇺🇸
Thank you so much once again for bringing our History alive . W hen you tell these stories I can imagine it like I'm there . Just a side note , my Uncle through marriage was a descendant of Robert E. Lee . Him and my Aunt years ago were invited with Lee's other descendants to I believe Chattanooga Tenn. for the unveiling of a statue or monument to Lee.
Unfortunately the Union troops weren't so benevolent and well behaved as they retreated following their defeat in the Peninsula Campaign, as they burned the mansion to the ground. But at least Mrs. Lee and her family were shown respect and afforded safe passage to Richmond.
Remember the 1st shots fired to cause the commencement of the war. (Ft Sumner, South fired upon the Forts and the Military stationed there,. An aggression upon the United States of America, the Nation and her People).
Remember the 1st shots fired to cause the commencement of the war. (Fort Sumter, South fired upon the Forts and the Military stationed there,. An aggression upon the United States of America, the Nation and her People). .
This is absurd! When Federal troops occupied Mrs. Lee's home, "White House," in New Kent County, in May 1862, Mrs. Lee refugeed to "Marlbourne," the unoccupied home of Edmund Ruffin. The contemptible enemy force burned "White House" to the ground. When Mrs. Lee left "Marlbourne," in Hanover County, she went to "Hickory Hill," farther "up the county" from the Ruffin home. Mrs. Lee's son, "Rooney" was at "Hickory Hill" recovering from wounds sustained in battle. Mrs. Lee was obliged to watch while her son was carried away by a detachment of Union troops. It is just like outsiders to get things wrong!
I interpret Ruffin's diary to say that Mrs. Lee was permitted to use "the vacant part" of the mansion, implying that there was a part of the home that was not vacant. And that Mr. Sayer subsequently fled. If he wasn't at Marlbourne in the first place, then how could he have fled? I interpret his diary to say that Mrs. Lee was still at Marlbourne at the "particular" time when Mr. Sayer left for Hanover Court House. The various accounts of Mrs. Lee are so confusing that theories from the public would be welcome in trying to figure out what went on, what reports were mistaken, and what reports were intentionally misleading. The quotes from May 25 and 26 are given below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The Diary of Edmund Ruffin" says for May 25: "Still can hear nothing certain of the state of things at Marlbourne, except that Mr. Sayre has fled from it, & was, when heard from, at Hanover C. H. Gen Lee's family (ladies and children) had been making a temporary home at Marlbourne some weeks ago. The report at Hanover C. H. is that all on the farm were under guard as prisoners to the enemy..." And on May 26 Ruffin wrote: "Heard the particulars of the bad news from Malbourne, indirectly, & soon after from Mr. Sayre, who had just arrived here from Hanover C. H., a full statement of the present condition of affairs on the farm."... "The wife and two grown daughters of Gen. Lee, our Commander in Chief, had before been permitted to use the larger vacant part of the Marlbourne mansion for their temporary home. And thus, strangely enough, these ladies are living in a place commanded by the enemy, & almost within their lines, & and on a farm... Yet Mrs. Lee does not seem the least alarmed. .
If the Confederates wanted to protect property from "contemptible enemy forces", all they had to do was surrender and stop the foolishness of slavery. A lot of property would have been preserved that way. Why shouldn't the White House have been burned to the ground -- it was war. The shooting was started by the Confederates. They wanted to create a separate government via force and they lost. You live by the sword, you die by the sword. It was ever thus.
@@Manfred-cf9rn They didn't take her Home, she was already at Home, she had been living at White House with her son for some months. The army OCCUPIED her home and forced her out around May 10. Then they captured her in Hanover May 25, which Ron wants to deny, and took her back to her White House home, where she was IMPRISONED and isolated in her own home as a hostage until June 10. Then they ESCORTED her to Richmond out of her own home. They had to keep her alive as a human shield and a bargaining chip for a prisoner exchange. John Knox Sneden painted a picture of the White House residence dated May 22, 1862. The caption includes this statement: "Burnt by McClellan's orders during the retreat from the Peninsula." (Virginia Museum of History and Culture, #1994.80.141.C) McClellan hiding behind the skirts of the enemy general's old wife, then ordering the house to be burned - is that your idea of showing respect ??? .
Around 1995 one of my grandfather's sisters had spent over 20 years compiling a history of our family. One of the surprising things was that she found was that we had family who came over on the Mayflower. The other was that we are related to Robert E. Lee and Grant. One of the things she told me was that General Lee lost his citizenship status because the President Johnson who said he wasn't going to let General Lee think of himself as being an American hero or an American at all. Something that Abraham Lincoln would not have done. The I found that very interesting because of how General Lee and the other Confederate generals were so different than the American the Union Generals. Although there were some brilliant ones on the union side like General Grant and General Sherman they were also some like McClellan who wasn't that great. The other thing was them putting the the graves of the dead soldiers which became Arlington Cemetery in the backyard of Grants mansion they wanted him if he ever left his home to see the graves of all the Union Soldiers and now it has soldiers from many wars many American Heroes. But he moved from that home for that very reason. He wasn't able to sell that obviously the American government took it and subjugated it. There's such a rich history there with that family it's interesting that with that history it's like I can see both sides of the issue I know that one of the other family members the offshoots of that lineage a native Indian who also owned the plantation and owned slaves before the uncivil war. I remember meeting an Ozzie in Ireland who was reading a book about the civil war. I didn't realize Australians loved American history so much. I know that I had spent the better part of countless hours cuz I was in Ireland for 3 months so I could spend as much time talking about the things as he would be reading through the book you get to a section and go I need to talk to you about this thing here whether it was the battles of Bull Run or Antietam. Or other ones like that I was able to share what I had studied and learned not only about the generals but also about the people the ones who had fought the wars the ones who's husbands and Sons had died on both sides. The pictures that were in the book were quite stunning. I know it was something that affected all the soldiers on both sides. I remember reading a memoir of a soldier who was firing his weapon killing soldiers who were charging towards their line and he said there wasn't one man on that picket who wasn't crying. Upset that these people coming towards them didn't stop and go away to save their lives. There were people from the Confederacy who wrote about how they weren't out on the fields of battle because of slaves because they didn't own any them run at the Mill men didn't own plantations they weren't part of that group. What an amazing time that was.
That's right. Native Americans had owned slaves right from the very beginning. They enslaved all their captives from battles that they fought with each other, as well as white captives. Later, they enslaved blacks to.
They might have treated Mrs Lee well but the average person wasn’t afforded the same treatment Also remember that the Federals turned their gardens and yards were turned into a cemetery into a national cemetery so that the house could never be occupied again
@@michaelwilson9986 The house you refer to is in Arlington. The house referred to in this video stayed in the family. See Wikipedia - White House (plantation) .
@ no, I’m not affected one way or the other. This is history and that’s what happened Oh well I guess I’m upset that it affected thousands and thousands of households all across this great country, thanks for your question
Here is a note from Lee to Mrs. Lee, written on the same day as the official correspondence about the exchange of prisoners: Lee Family Digital Archive. Robert E. Lee to Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee. 1863 June 9. Dabbs Farm, 9 June ’62 I have returned to my old quarters dear Mary & am filled with gratitude to our heavenly father for all the mercies he has extended to us. Our Success has not been as great or complete as I could have desired, but God knows what is best for us. Our enemy has met with a heavy loss from which he must take some time to recover & then recommence his operations. I hope you are all well & that Custis is recovering. I send in some clothes, please have them washed for me. I also want my trunk, left in Custis’s room, to see if I have not some thinner clothes. I have also a pair of spectacles in it which I wish to get. Having lost my other pair. I shall come in when I can but I have much to do & do not know when that will be. In the mean time I am with much love to all always & as ever Yours, R E Lee .
It’s so tragic that the boys who lived so far in the south had to of the meet their deaths in Virginia… most parents in the south never knew what happened to their sons. Bodies, just dumped in a mass grave.
I admire Robert E. Lees wife simply because she was Martha Washington's great granddaughter! Patricia Gambino Harrington (I post on my husband Frank's RUclips account)
Here are some comments about Mrs. Lee on May 12. On May 12, 1862, the Confederates were still near White House at Cross-Roads, now called Quinton. General Robert McAllister wrote a letter on the 13th, and said that General Lee had been at the White House the day before in the morning, which would have been May 12th. He was probably referring to Col. W. H. F. Lee, Gen. Lee's son, nicknamed Rooney, who owned the property. It is plausible that Rooney could have been at White House on that day because his cavalry unit under Stuart was at nearby Talleysville. If Mrs. Lee and the girls were at Dr. Macon's on that day, then it is logical that he would be picketing the area and was checking on the family and his home at nearby White House. Not only that, his cousin, Major Lawrence Williams, was in charge of White House on that day, and Rooney mentioned in a letter that he had been communicating with Lawrence around that time period, and in connection with Dr. Macon's farm. The quote and citation are given below this line: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Last night after dark we got an order to march... up here to what is called the White House property. It is a very large and handsome property belonging to General Lee of the Rebel Army... General Lee . . . was here yesterday morning, (May 12) as well as his army." (The Civil War Letters of General Robert McAllister. By James I. Robertson, Jr. LSU Press, Oct 1, 1998. First New Jersey Infantry) .
Thomas Butler Gunn was a war correspondent who kept a diary. On May 12th, he wrote that he had a "visit from Lieut Kerins of the 6th cavalry, regulars." (Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries. Volume 19.) Major Lawrence Williams, Mrs. Lee's cousin in charge of White House that day, was in the 6th U. S. Cavalry. The regular cavalry means that it was part of the US standing Army already in existence before the war started and originally included men from a lot of different states, including the South. The Volunteer cavalries were designated by the state they were from and authorized by the state governors. Gunn said he was "taking the road to Richmond, via the White House, the ex-residence of Lee, the rebel general." This implies that Mrs. Lee was not residing in the Mansion on this day, May 12th. Gun then proceeded to say, "In front of the house we found a 6th cavalry man and the ex-over-seer of the plantation." Again, Major Williams' 6th Cavalry is mentioned. The comment about the overseer confirms that White House was now fully under military occupation. However, Lawrence still allowed the overseer to continue to have some authority over the residence because the overseer was the one who permitted Gunn to tour the house on May 12th where he saw George Washington's table. Mrs. Lee obviously did not occupy the Mansion on this particular day. Gunn wrote, "After some demur he showed us through the house, which contained some few articles of furniture contemporary with the great American, one a table on which it is said that he ate his wedding breakfast. But the most attractive objects to our eyes were the beds; however we couldn't be allowed to sleep there, nor would the overseer be tempted to accommodate us for the night, pleading lack of room in his house." .
The "Richmond Enquirer" of May 27, 1862, confirms the status of Major Williams and the overseer: "Major Williams, Sixth Cavalry... has had charge of the White House Point Property, and we have already criticised his liberal treatment of the overseer in letting him retain charge of everything and run at large..." .
The New York Times of May 23, 1862, reported that "Mrs. Lee abandoned the premises last Saturday morning, and proceeded to Richmond" and an overseer is left to "take charge of the premises." "Most of the furniture has been removed. A few books, and some portraits and paintings, were boxed up to-day and taken in charge by Capt. T. H. Patterson, commanding the gunboat Chocura, he making a memorandum of the articles and giving a duplicate copy to the overseer." .
@@BellesDreams You would be wrong 😮. Lee told Jeff Davis there was no way the south could win. We didn't have the foundries, finances ,ect that the north did. He didn't own slaves himself, his wife did when they married. He also later freed her slaves. He finally agreed to command because Virginia succeeded. In the early years the colonies were like their own separate countries. His father ( Light Horse Harry ) fought with Washington in the revolutionary war. Then everything united. Lee couldn't bring himself to fight against Virginia. It is hard to understand this these days
Actually, I believe that the US Constitution said that the former colonials who joined the Union voluntarily, could legally leave the Union as well if they decided that it was not to their advantage to remain in the Union. And remember, the original colonies were actually independent from each other originally. I doubt that any of them would have joined the early nation of USA had they known that it was irreversible decision, or that they would be attacked and ruined if they backed out. They were deceived!.
I think this might be the document you are referring to: "Ratification of the Constitution by the State of Virginia; June 26, 1788." "... We... the People of Virginia... Do... declare... that the powers granted under the Constitution being derived from the People of the United States may be resumed by them whensoever the same shall be perverted to their injury or oppression..." .
Photos and artwork of the White House in New Kent on the Pamunkey River can be found at the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Civil War collection. Also search White House Landing for pictures of the river with the depot, ships, etc. Some of the pictures are from 1864, or may have been taken in 1862 but published in 1864. The nice pictures of Cumberland Landing show scenes of the hill with the soldiers, etc. in 1862, a few days before headquarters and the depot were moved to White House. .
Lee believed that slavery was an institution that could not survive. In that way, he was profoundly anti-slavery. His wife, on the other hand, was not so convinced of the insupportability of slavery. Perhaps I'm mistaken, but Mary Custis was a childhood friend of the Powell girls, the daughters (or perhaps the wife of) Charles Levin Powell,. the great grandfather of Katharine Hepburn. Virginia history is very rich, rivaling that of New Orleans, and even surpassing it, as the home of so many of our Founding Fathers. In any case, she was a lucky woman. Lee was a strikingly handsome man, West Point graduate, and good tempered man, erudite and wise, chosen by President Lincoln to lead the UNION army but accepted by Lincoln as leader of the Confederate army, as at least a reasonable, honorable opponent.
Evidently it takes a while for a wartime society to degenerate into war's inevitable savagery where brutality becomes the norm. At first, the Civil War seemed like such a gentlemanly lark, full of 19th Century ideals of chivalry and grace, with young men eagerly joining up to "See The Elephant" but as the deaths, the hunger, disease and costs pile up, the grim reality of war appears and savagery begins. Contrast the way armies of both sides acted at the war's beginning with their grim behavior after the war was well and truly started.
Heart attack rate? Not to dispute your point, but I'd wager that the heart-attack death rate was likely higher in the 50's. Also more attention now being paid on those conditions, such as hypertension, that often signal higher likelihood for heart attack.
Martha Dandridge married Daniel Custis and had one son, John, before he died. Then she married George Washington. John married Eleanor Calvert and had 3 daughters and one son, George Washington Custis, He married Mary Ann Fitzhugh and one daughter, Mary Ann. She married Robert E. Lee. The White house belonged to John Custis after his father's death.
Yes, Mrs. Lee was given safe passage in "June," "after" she was captured in Hanover around May 25 and taken back to White House until June 10. You don't debunk the allegations of a capture on May 25 in Hanover with evidence of a safe passage from White House around May 16 before the Capture even happened. One day in "June"... Lee "told me that his wife and Miss Mary Lee, his daughter, had been caught within the Federal lines at the White House, the residence of General W. H. F. Lee, his son, and he desired me to take a courier and proceed with a flag of truce to Meadow Bridge and carry a sealed dispatch to General McClellan. At the Federal headquarters I would meet the ladies, and escort them to Mrs. Gooch's farm, inside our lines." (Battles And Leaders Of The Civil War, Volume II. 1887. Article: “Origin Of The Lee Tomatoes.” By W. Roy Mason, Major, C. S. A.) .
The executor of Parke Custiss' (Washington's), will was Robert E. Lee. Parke Custis died in 1958. The will required a number of endowments to heirs were to be made before the slaves were freed. Since the liquid funds were not available, Lee had to sell some of the Arlington property, which was at the time in need of repair before they could be sold. This held up the freeing of the slaves until later, as Lee was rarely at Arlington, and was reliant on agents to manage the projects and sales. (Source; Robert E. Lee, by Deron Stearns (a genealogical reference).
Here are some comments about Mrs. Lee on Thursday, May 15, 1862. On May 15th, the Confederates retreated from Cross Roads (Quinton) and most of New Kent to support the forces at the Battle of Drewry's Bluff on the James River. Also on May 15th, there are several conflicting accounts about the White House being occupied on this day by Mrs. Lee. She had supposedly been at Dr. Macon's farm nearby since Saturday, May 10th, but the 6th U.S. Cavalry had occupied that place the day before on Wednesday, May 14. The only way to reconcile the conflicting accounts is to conclude that Mrs. Lee did not go to Richmond with her daughters on May 14, and was at Dr. Macon's part of the day on May 15, and at White House part of the day on May 15. If this is true, then Mrs. Lee departed White House three times in all, which would reconcile the confusing, inconsistent and contradictory accounts. Charles Amory Clark was relieved from guard duty over the White House about noon on May 15th. He had been on guard there since the day before, when he observed the interior of the mansion. I get the impression that Mrs. Lee returned to White House temporarily during his shift, and he was sworn to secrecy, which would explain why he asserted that Mrs. Lee and her family had left on May 14. If the unmarried daughters left on May 14, then that would be a half-truth. Here is his account: “I was on guard over the White House... His wife and family had departed that morning [May 14] on the last train for Richmond. In the hall was posted a notice in feminine writing, which besought the Yankee vandals and invaders to respect and hold sacred the spot around which clustered so many memories of Washington. In the dining room was a like notice on the dining table, which contained the information that it was the table from which Washington had eaten his wedding breakfast. My orders were to admit no one to the grounds without a pass from the provost marshal-general of the Army of the Potomac. Before I was relieved I was compelled to wheel my guard with fixed bayonets across one of the approaches, to arrest the visit of inspection of a distinguished Union general and his staff, who desired to enter the grounds without the necessary credentials. Every thing about the place was religiously cared for while it was in my charge. In my pocket diary of May 15th I find this entry: 'I was relieved from guard over the white house at about noon. I brought away some simple flowers as mementos of the place which the courtship of Washington made so famous.' ” (Campaigning with the Sixth Maine. By Charles Amory Clark) .
On May 15th, the Sharpshooters arrived at White House about 4:30 p.m. and reported that the building was occupied and guarded. Notice that this was in the afternoon. "Cumberland Landing... On the 15th another extraordinary day's march occurred, over a very wet, muddy road, the rain pouring down all the time, stopping often at long periods, and accomplishing five miles from half-past six a. m. to four p. m., at about which latter hour we arrived at White House. The roads were in such a bad state that it often required eight or ten horses to move the artillery, the passing soldiers assisting in pulling the cannon out of the deep mud holes. Owing to the difficulty in transportation, provisions were scarce, and short rations in order. "We encamped in a clover field near the White House on the Pamunkey, 20 miles northeast of Richmond. This building, said to be on the site of the one wherein Washington was married, was occupied, and a guard stationed around the premises to keep out intruders. It was the property of the Lees, on a plantation of 1,200 acres, with better soil than we had yet seen, a part of which was sowed with wheat; and were it not for the existing military surroundings would have presented a very domestic appearance. "A pretty spot, accessible by steamers and sailing craft from York river; many vessels of different kinds lining the shore close by, loaded with provisions and other necessary articles for the army. "The railroad to Richmond crossed the river at this point previous to the destruction of the bridge. We were in the midst of a splendid clover field of many acres, while above us, on the opposite side of the road, was a fine old apple orchard of 75 trees. Numberless small tents, amid which waved the regimental colors, denoted the different bodies of troops that encamped around us." (Berdan's... Sharpshooters. By Capt. C. A. Stevens. Page 81.) .
On May 15th, the First New York Cavalry departed from Cumberland and moved to White House. The regimental history states that the mansion had been "recently occupied." However, Francis Colburn Adams, also of the 1st New York Cavalry, contradicts the notion that the mansion had been recently occupied on May 15. He wrote: "Mrs. Lee and her sister, and a few old servants, yet remained in the house, and solicited protection from us." Maybe they were both right? Maybe Mrs. Lee was not in the mansion in the morning, but she was in the mansion in the afternoon, perhaps with Mrs. Macon? The account of the White House in the regimental history of the First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry is shown below the line: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Early the 15th we were on the way. It was a rainy day. A march of six miles brought us to the White House, and soon the wide level land between the river and the hills was filled with the camp arranged in compact order. The Richmond and York River railroad crossed the Pamunkey at this place. The Confederates had partially destroyed the bridge. The river was navigable to this point. "There was a good landing and it was made the base of supplies. The estate was valuable and was the property of the wife of Gen. Robert E. Lee, a descendant of the Custis family. It was here that Washington first met Mrs. Custis, then a charming and wealthy young widow. His marriage with Mrs. Custis took place Jan. 6th, 1759, some authorities say at the White House, the residence of Mrs. Custis, others say at the church near New Kent Court House. The Confederates had left the immediate vicinity. In the main hall of the White House was a paper attached to the wall, reading as follows: "Northern soldiers, who prefer to revere Washington, forbear to desecrate the home of his first married life-the property of his wife- now owned by her descendant, A Granddaughter of Mrs. Washington." "A house had been recently occupied by a son of Robert E. Lee. The paper would lead one to suppose that this was the house that was standing here in Washington's time. It was learned, however, that the original house had been destroyed by fire thirty years before. This later house was burned when the place was abandoned as a base of supplies. It was an ideal location for a home." (The First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry. By William H. Beach.) .
Comment continued regarding Mrs. Lee on May 15. Francis Colburn Adams, of the 1st New York Cavalry, wrote a book called "The Story of a Trooper" and implied that "Mrs. Lee and her sister, and a few old servants, yet remained in the house" on May 15, when their cavalry arrived at White House. This contradicts the 1st New York Cavalry regimental history which claims that the mansion had been "recently occupied" that same day. Perhaps they were both right? Perhaps Mrs. Lee did not occupy White House in the morning, but did occupy White House in the afternoon, by coming several miles back to the mansion, perhaps with Mrs. Macon, because Mrs. Lee did not have a sister. McClellan had expected to move his headquarters to White House on May 15, and issued orders to that effect on May 14, along with the "Order of March" for all the divisions. So everybody knew McClellan was expected to arrive at White House on May 15. If Mrs. Lee was still at nearby Dr. Macon's, and the 6th U.S. Cavalry had occupied Dr. Macon's farm the day before, then surely Mrs. Lee would have known this also. However, multiple official records and correspondence support the idea that McClellan was detained at Cumberland until May 16, contrary to Adam's implication that McClellan arrived at White House on May 15. If McClellan did hop on a horse with no baggage, pass a long procession of Divisions and baggage trains in the rain and mud, and arrive at White House at 4 in the afternoon on May 15, then someone else must have been sending and receiving telegrams at Cumberland on his behalf, and then lied about it the next day. Perhaps Mrs. Lee wanted to confront Gen. McClellan face to face in her own home before leaving it. Mrs. Lee had already lost one home, Arlington House, to the Federals just about a year previously. She was able to obtain a letter from the invading general promising the mansion's safety, but over time there were doubts about the condition of Arlington. Mrs. Lee had grown up at Arlington, which her father had built as a shrine and museum dedicated to the legacy of George Washington. So she had visited with dignitaries from all over the world. Arlington was her home at times while Lee was on military duty all over the country and in Mexico. When Lee was superintendent at the West Point Military Academy, she was again immersed into military life there, so she was not intimidated by West Point generals such as McClellan or any other army officer. Since her cousin, Major Lawrence Williams, was in charge of White House, and in command of the 6th U.S. Cavalry encamped at Dr. Macon's where she was temporarily staying, then perhaps cousin Lawrence escorted her over to White House to have a little chat with McCellan before he decided to hop into her empty bed. Excerpts from Adam's book for May 15, are shown below the line: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The morning of the 15th was wet and misty... I started with Captain Purdy and the cavalry guard about five o'clock, and after struggling for nearly four hours, and picking most of our way through the woods, reached the White House before the head of the column debouched into the open fields. About six o'clock the rain began to pour down, and continued until one, when we were all drenched to the very skin, and so hungry. Slocum and other general officers came up, dripping wet, and having given directions to the troops where to camp, were glad to accept shelter in the dingy cabin of an old negro, the few smouldering embers in the great open fireplace affording us a little warmth... Mrs. Lee and her sister, and a few old servants, yet remained in the house, and solicited protection from us. We at once placed guards over the house and gardens, and the Quartermaster placed a guard over the grain and forage. These were necessary as a means of preserving the property from useless destruction. We wanted the forage and grain for our own use. And as we asserted that our army came into the South to protect the people and their property, not to burn down their houses and make war on defenceless women and children, placing guards over this little house and garden seemed to me perfectly proper. I always found that the bravest officers were those who were most kind and generous to the defenceless. I have noticed also that officers who were always ready to fight with women for what they would say, seldom or never brought their courage on the battle-field with them... These guards, however, afforded the ill-natured a subject for controversy and misrepresentation. A number of inquisitive Congressmen came down to see the Army of the Potomac, but were unwilling to share its hardships, and affected to consider their dignity insulted because the guards would not let them enter the house during a rain storm. As these Congressmen did not wear badges on their hats, and possessed nothing, either mentally or physically, by which a guard could distinguish them from ordinary people, and considering that there were a large number of pickpockets and other doubtful characters following the army, neither the guards nor the General who placed them there were to blame for the wetting these gentlemen had to endure... It ceased raining about two o'clock, and at four General McClellan came up and pitched his headquarters tents on the lawn in front of the house. We all had a short supper that night, and slept in our blankets on the wet ground... (The Story of a Trooper. By F. Colburn Adams. 1862) .
Official Records, etc. show McClellan at Cumberland on May 15, 1862, and not at White House until the next day. However, Francis Colburn Adams, of the 1st New York Cavalry, contradicts this and implies in his book that on May 15th, “at four General McClellan came up and pitched his headquarters tents on the lawn in front of the house. We all had a short supper that night, and slept in our blankets on the wet ground.” If McClellan did manage to come on horseback, a distance of about 9 miles from the Cumberland Estate to White House, on May 15th, in spite of all the travel difficulties, and was able to get past the guards pointing weapons at him, and was surprised to open the door to the mansion and be confronted by Mrs. Lee inside, then he didn't write about it anywhere.
The excerpts from McClellan's biography for May 15 are shown below the line: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- McClellan wrote from Cumberland on May 15, 2.30 P. M: “Another wet, horrid day! It rained a little yesterday morning, more in the afternoon, much during the night, and has been amusing itself in the same manner very persistently all day. I had expected to move headquarters to White House to-day; but this weather has put the roads in such condition that I cannot do more than get Franklin and Porter there to-day. Headquarters, cavalry and Hunt will move there to-morrow... “I am heartily tired of this life I am leading - always some little absurd thing being done by those gentry in Washington. I am every day more and more tired of public life, and earnestly pray that I may soon be able to throw down my sword and live once more as a private gentleman . . .. Yes, I can imagine peace and quietness reigning once more in this land of ours. It is just that I am fighting for! “Still raining hard and dismally; an awful time for the men; the only comfort is that they all have plenty to eat.” (McClellan's Own Story. By George B. McClellan. Pages 356-357.) .
Here is a newspaper article showing a letter from White House on May 15, 1862. It states that Mrs. Lee is "now domiciled at the White House." It is shown in full below the line: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Daily Green Mountain Freeman. (Montpelier, Vt.), May 23, 1862 Letter from Lieutenant C. C. Spaulding, Company D of the Fifth Vermont. (Our War Correspondence.) From the Fifth Vermont Regiment. White House Va., May 15, 1862. Mr. Willard: It was raining quite hard yesterday afternoon when I finished my letter at that date, and I told you that there were no indications of its ceasing. It has rained without stint ever since, is coming down now at a good rate, and beat into us by a driving, chilling wind. But I hear no grumbling, though every body looks surly and cross. To prevent sickness from this much exposure, especially colds and ague, the medical staff have just issued to the whole Brigade rations of whisky and quinine, and I have heard of none so temperate as to refuse the dose, and not a few would be glad to have it repeated, that is, if the storm continues. I gave you yesterday a bit of history about our present camp ground, and told you, of course, all I knew, not expecting that I should ever have occasion to write again about these White House people or premises. But I saw a letter to day, that was found about here by some one in the Second Vermont, some of the contents of which are quite interesting and in some senses important. The letter (without date) was written at Fredericksburg, Va., by Col. W. F. Lee, son of Gen. Lee, to his mother, or "ma," as he terms her, now domiciled at the White House on this place. After a pithy and quite sharp rebuke to his wife for neglecting to write him as often as he expected, the Colonel says, (I give you his very words,) "The many reverses we have met with have not discouraged me." He may have told the truth then, but the signs of the times indicate that most of the F.F.V.s are tired and disappointed, if they are not discouraged. "The whole people seem to be panic stricken, and vie with each other in circulating the most improbable reports." If the Northern people were "panic-stricken" and "vieing" in that way, I think that some of our Colonels would feel discouraged. "I must say that the surrender of Nashville by the Tennesseans caps the climax, and I think that Pillow and Floyd ought to be hung for disgracefully leaving their commands." The young man is no fool, if he is a rebel. Pillow and Floyd had ought to be hung, first by Uncle Sam for stealing and treason, and then by old Jeff for cowardice and treachery. He then, after a few remarks about domestic affairs says, I hear it reported that "pa" is to be made Secretary of War. I shouldn't consent to that, as I do not wish to have him mixed up in polities, but should be glad to see him made Commander-in chief." Ain't he a brick? That '"mixed up in politics" is a splendid idea, for that is just about as bad a mix as most men ever get into. And then his desire to see him Commander-in-chief." There's pride and aspiration for you by the wholesale. I guess the young man ain't badly discouraged after all, for his F. F. V. blood seems to circulate freely. "Pa" Commander in chief! Ain't that sublime? "Pa" Gen. Lee, going into Little Mac's bag first and foremost, the bell weather of treason! Keep on aspiring young man, but beware the ides of June. Before closing his lengthy and quite interesting epistle he advises his mother, as a prudent measure, to take an inventory of the White House property, cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, &c. Now, what does that mean? Putting this and that together, the "inventory" and the "not discouraged" sentiment, and we have quite a puzzle. He certainly must be a very prudent young man, or else he had got on the scent of a big mice. Well, if ever I should meet Col. Lee, I am not sure but that I should be just curious and impudent enough to ask him for an explanation of that puzzle... Yours, &c., See. See. Ess. .
To use her as a human shield. To hold her hostage for a prisoner exchange. So she doesn't tell her husband what is going on behind enemy lines so he will know where to attack. Armies normally restrict travel and communication in occupied areas. .
Won't argue with the comments about ill-treatment of civilians or their property, real or imagined. None of that would have happened without going to war against your own country
This passage describes McClellan's visit to the White House residence: McClellan's Own Story. By George B. McClellan. May 16, 11.30 P.M., White House.- I rode over a horrid road to this place this morning; spent some time at Washington's house, or at least his wife's... .
McClellan didn't mention anything about seeing Mrs. Lee in the White House residence on May 16 when he "spent some time" there. If he did see her, she must have returned secretly on May 14 with the help of her cousin, Major Lawrence Williams who had charge of White House on that day, in order to confront McClellan face to face about protecting the mansion before finally departing for Marlbourne in Hanover. .
Being that the plantation was solely occupied by civilians the people were treated with due respect and officers in charge also afforded the due respect to a high ranking officers family respect albeit an enemy officer. Of course it would be expected to confiscate the food supplies being stored on the plantation. Had it been later in the war and Gen. Sherman came upon the plantation all would have most likely been burned to the ground, so as the southern army couldn't make any use of the place.
The people were not treated with due respect. There are multiple accounts of abuse of civilians in the neighborhood of New Kent and Hanover during the spring of 1862, and 1863 also. For example, the "Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by a Lady of Virginia," By Judith White McGuire. Page 136. The diary entry for May 24 is shown below this line. This is the very same day, and the very same neighborhood where Mrs. Lee was searched at Marlbourne. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24th. - We were aroused this morning at an early hour, by the servants rushing in, exclaiming: "The house is surrounded by Yankees, and they are coming into the house." I rushed to the window, and there they were. An officer in the front porch, and a squad of cut-throat-looking fellows on the steps; while a number, with their red streamers and lances, were dashing hither and thither; some at the stable, some at the kitchen, others around the servants' quarters and at the barn, while the lane was filled with them. Dr. T. had spent the night with little L., who is ill with scarlet fever. I knocked at his door, and asked him to go down and see what the people wanted. We dressed as rapidly as possible. C. and M. had been up all night with L., and were soon ready to go down. They quickly returned, to say that the officer was Colonel Rush, of Philadelphia, and demanded that my little son Edward should be sent down immediately. It was in vain that they told him that E. was a mere child-- he had evidently heard that he was a young man, and demanded his presence. The child was aroused from his sleep, and hastily dressed himself, but not quickly enough for our impatient Colonel, who walked to the staircase and began to ascend, when C. called to him, "Colonel R., do you mean to go to a lady's chamber before she is dressed? The boy is in his Mother's room." Somewhat abashed, he stepped back. I soon descended, accompanied by E. N. and W. S. There on the mat before me stood a live Yankee colonel, with an aid on either side. I approached; he pointed to W. S., saying, "Is that Edward N?" “No," said I; "that is my grandson; this is E. N." He said, "I want the boys to go with me." Looking him full in the eye, I said, "Sir, will you take these children prisoners?" His eye fell, and with many grimaces he replied, "Oh, no; I only want to ask the boys a few questions." He then took them across the lawn, I all the time watching them; asked them many questions, but finding that he could get nothing out of them, he sent them back, calling them "little rebels," etc. The Colonel had seen defiant looks enough while in the house, and did not return. He asked M. to let him give her a remedy for scarlet fever, which Mrs. Colonel Huger had given him. "Mrs. General Huger you mean?" replied M. "Thank you, I have perfect confidence in Dr. T." In the mean time his commissary went to the meat-house, demanded the key, and looking in, said, "I want three hundred pounds of this bacon, and shall send for it this evening." Another man went to the stable, took Dr. T's horse, saddle, and bridle, and went off with them. The Colonel was immediately informed of it, seemed shocked, and said, "Impossible;" but on ordering it to be brought back, it was soon returned. Presently the Quartermaster rode up to the door, calling out, "Mrs. N., three horses were in your stable last night, and they are not there now; the Colonel wishes their absence accounted for." "Perhaps, sir,” replied M., "they have been stolen, as the other was; but as you get your information from the servants, I refer you to them." He rode off, and the whole party returned to their camp. .
Technically, Mary Lee was Washington's step-great-granddaughter. Martha Washington's son was John Parke Custis, John Parke Custis' son was George Washington Parke Custis. George Washington Parke Custis' daughter was Mary Custis Lee. But, George Washington adopted George Washington Parke Custis and called him his son. By that logic, Mary Custis Lee called herself the granddaughter of Martha Washington. .
Pretty outrageous that Union officers treated traitors and enslavers as if they were worthy of respect. The slaves should have been freed on the spot and the belongings of their enslavers turned over to them.
In July 1861, Gen. Curtis in Arkansas figured out a quick way to free the slaves. He wrote, "I have given free papers to negroes who were mustered by their rebel masters to blockade my way to my supplies. These negro prisoners were the most efficient foes I had to encounter; they are now throwing down their axes and rushing in for free papers." (Official Army Records, Series 1, Vol. 13, Page 525) .
Given the newly freed slaves would have no food or shelter, the union army usually remanded the slaves to the local citizenry for their care and so were not responsible for their predicaments. Further burdening the citizenry in a time of scarcity.
There are some documents in the Official Records related to that subject: See: War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume I, "Military Treatment of Captured and Fugitive..." The correct volume should have 1065 pages. Here are some items in the Summary of Principal Events: May 9, 1862. - Maj . Gen. David Hunter, U. S. Army, proclaims martial law in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, and declares all... free. May 19, 1862.- President Lincoln modifies Major-General Hunter's proclamation freeing... in his military department. Cornell University Library has a good Table of Contents of the Official Records. There are series for both Army and Navy. They direct to HathiTrust, but the volumes can be found inside Google Books also. Also a search of the newspaper database, Chronicling America, at Library of Congress for the word "contrabands" gives good results. .
The southern state legislatures wrote codes, such as the Code of Virginia, 1860, which codified the situation with regard to these groups of people, and subjected the whole population to censorship. "If a free person, by speaking or writing, maintain that owners have not right of property... he shall be confined in jail..." Union officers didn't write the codes, so having Union officers hand out forged "free papers" did not un-write the codes. It took the overthrow of elected state governments and the overthrow of censorship to promote human rights. Government censorship and the threat of arrest was the foundation of the whole system. .
She taught black people how to read and write should have never been arrested The union soldiers were in many cases committing war crimes were never punished for any of it
Here is the official correspondence from Lee about a prisoner exchange, dated June 9. Army Records, Series 2, Volume 3, Correspondence, Orders, etc., relating to Prisoners of War... Page 893. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT NORTHERN VIRGINIA, June 9, 1862 The Honorable Secretary of War, Richmond, Va. SIR: I have the honor to forward to the department a letter from Major General McClellan, commanding United States forces near Richmond. With reference to that part of the communication of General McClellan which refers to the exchange of prisoners, I respectfully recommend that the necessary steps be taken to effect it... R. E. LEE .
That's because the southerners were slavers and traitors to the highest degree. You might find sympathy for the lowest and most ignorant of the bunch. The others? Unforgivable. I wonder where you fall on the line.
The way you describe the scenery of the South makes me wonder what was the civil war really over were the Yankees jealous because they have New York and New Jersey and we have the beautiful South yes I'm sure that's what it was over they were jealous because of the South is beautiful and the north looks like a backed-up toilet
I agree. Virginia was beautiful. My great grandfather’s plantation was beautiful…until the Yankees came into Spotsylvania & burned everything in sight, stole the animals & valuables…
Missing teeth leave the face shrunken. Maybe older people believed wearing make-up, coloring their hair, and dressing young was inappropriate, slutty, vain, and silly.
I don’t think respectable women of that era wore make up. Dying one’s hair was equally taboo back then. If you can imagine the lovely facial bone structure of Mrs. Lee with even a small amount of make up and a modern hair style, you might see as better looking than you do now. 🐩
@@jadakowers590 Yes, the hair style was awful. The lack of make-up must also be a part of the issue. One eye is larger than the other. Her bridge of her nose was quite long.Her pursed lips don't help her look. I can't tell her age as she looks so ugly that she could be sixty or forty. It would be interesting to see an AI re-make of her in modern attire as composted from this photo. Thank you for your thoughtful and informative answer. It was an honest question and I appreciate your respectful reply.
Which side is which? We talking about happy slaves? It's understandable. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest. People aren't much different. I'm sure some slaves were lacking enthusiasm because that's just the way it is. It's easier to stay where you're comfortable. It's easier to stay with what you already know. At any rate. I'm not sure what anyone is really talking about.
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Thank you for posting Mrs Lee’s picture. You rarely see a picture of her. Her family paid dearly during the Civil War losing this house and Arlington House. She basically raised her family herself with General Lee assigned all over the country during his career. Enjoyed the video.
No I’m ok
Thanks to Janet for what she sent & to you for a great presentation!👍😃🇺🇸
It amazes me that such kindness and compassion can exist in the midst of so much killing, destruction, pain and fear. Thanks for sharing this.
This was still fairly early in the war and McClellan wasn't Grant.
I am found it interesting one of the soldiers who had fought as a Union soldier was saying one of the lines of men who were shooting at the soldiers who were running towards them no fear in their charge. And he said every single time his gun was ready to fire again he said I saw a mountain of bodies laying and the people were still trying to climb over those bodies to get to that area take it and he said I was crying so hard I couldn't see because of the tears flowing out. And he said all of us were shouting at the Confederate forces to please go away to not kill themselves by running into those bullets. I read likewise Memoirs from the Confederates as well talking about how much they hated the fact that they were killing so many men each battle.
A good way to start my day- finding some humanity and reason during this turbulent period. Thanks.
Union troops were dogs
Fascinating!! Thank you and Janet for sharing!!
The moments of kind civility, honor, integrity shown with manners in the face of horror and violence as reported during the Civil War and magnified in the POW Camps on both sides never cease to amaze.
Never had seen a picture of Mary Curtis Lee. Thank you
There is a painting of young "Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee" at the Arlington House, Robert E. Lee Memorial, shown on their website.
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Thanks Janet
I am glad you liked my mother's work !!
Virgil Caine is my name and I drove on the Danville train
'Til so much cavalry came and tore up the tracks again
In the winter of '65, we were hungry, just barely alive
I took the train to Richmond that fell
It was a time I remember, oh so well
Back with my wife in Tennessee and one day she said to me
"Virgil, quick, come see, there goes Robert E. Lee"
Now, I don't mind, I'm chopping wood
And I don't care if the money's no good
Just take what you need and leave the rest
But they should never have taken the very best
Great vlog - thanks for posting! Interesting information provided that I did not know.
Always interesting. It sounds like these battle hardened soldiers behaved properly. Thanks Ron for this first hand passage of these events.
It's great to listen to you talk about an area I know well. Growing up in Hanover County, I hunted for many years on the grounds of Marlbourn (known by another name today) and fished the Pamunkey River in the area of "White House" for even more.
😊
Excellent Ron
As a former member of the US Army Transportation Corp, I smiled when I heard the cumbersome title of the White House logistical study. Army-speak as I remember it!
I am 88m 30. PLDC. BNOC. ANOC. I have never heard of this
I saw someone ask why people were so ugly back then. She is not ugly. She looks retrospective and solemn. Walk a mile in her shoes. Life was difficult back then. Antibiotics, vaccines, and modern medical knowledge about diseases was nonexistent. Proper nutrition and cleanliness was not understood. Therefore, the death of loved ones was a constant threat. Americans were fighting a war against Americans on our soil!
As a young woman she was beautiful! She suffered from rheumatoid arthritis which I am sure aged her! I have both lupus and RA and I know how you suffer! Patricia Gambino Harrington
Beauty was judged differently throughout history and she was considered to be old age at that time. No makeup back in that time period, a lot of todays women without makeup would not be any beauties either
I remember reading Shelby Footes books about the Civil War when he said about it that the Americans say it was the greatest wars ever fought by Americans. Because it was an American war but it was an American war against Americans. He said that one of the biggest problems with that was that one of the greatest things an asset to the American culture had always been one of compromise. But the compromising Spirit wasn't going on when it got to the 1860s. He spoke with the Widow of one of the generals she let him take the Confederate soldiers sword and wave it in the air like as if he was on the Battlefront. He told the Widow that he thought her and Abraham Lincoln were the smartest people who would been alive at that time. And her response made him chuckle. She said and I quote our family never had a lot of regard for Mr Abraham Lincoln the president. That was the kind of way of speaking from that era.
Right. She just looks like a nice elderly intelligent lady who has had a hard life even tho she had slaves. Plantation wives were often in charge of the welfare and management of the slaves, which included medical care and childbirth if there was no midwife. Sometimes they taught them skills such as how to cook foods that they were not accustomed to., and housekeeping for those fresh from a totally different state of living in Africa, (even now that's true). Some did a good job, some didn't.
@@charliebrownie4158if you are going to quote, you should just use "quotes". 😊 then we know when your quote begins and ends.
And... not trying to be mean, just to understand... I'm wondering how this relates to the comment it is under? 🤔
The Union troops may have respected her house - but her Church - St. Peter's - they did not. They stabled their horses in the church and carved their names in the bricks.
I was on a government review once dealing with the color of title for land that was initially part of the Louisiana Purchase and therefore initially owned by the Government until it could be patented out. The Civil War caused an issue on tracing land titles in many of those counties. We were told that, upon invading a county, the Union Army frequently did 2 things - burned the courthouses as they were the seat of the county government and desecrated many of the churches as they had done in New Kent. Unfortunately the courthouses held the land records including the original patents and complicated title searches.
Alas!
Although not surprising at all, I've always wondered about that, the difficulty in doing title searches when original courthouse records were destroyed; with ur past experience, how do u think legitimate property owners (re)established their ownership rights when said original land title records (incl mortgages/trust deeds & notes) were essentially lost?🤔 Thanks😃🇺🇸
Thank you so much once again for bringing our History alive . W hen you tell these stories I can imagine it like I'm there . Just a side note , my Uncle through marriage was a descendant of Robert E. Lee . Him and my Aunt years ago were invited with Lee's other descendants to I believe Chattanooga Tenn. for the unveiling of a statue or monument to Lee.
Is the statue still there or was it removed by order of the Obama-Biden Regime's war on history?
My great grandmother was a cousin of Robert E. Lee. Through his mother's side,the Carters.
Has the statue been taken down by the far left?
I hope THEY don't tear it down.
Wow !
You nailed it !!!
Thanks ---
Janet
You forgot to mention that these wonderfully behaved saintly union troops burned everything to the ground when they left.
What part of "War is hell" do you not understand?
Well...don't start a war if you don't what happens in war.
And ate the livestock then killed the uneaten and burned the unharvested crops . Pure evil!
That’s what war is.
@@kenpeters9807 too funny! Interfering with slave holders rights
Thank you! This is wonderful information.
Thanks for Arlington
Unfortunately the Union troops weren't so benevolent and well behaved as they retreated following their defeat in the Peninsula Campaign, as they burned the mansion to the ground. But at least Mrs. Lee and her family were shown respect and afforded safe passage to Richmond.
They pretty much destroyed everywhere they went in the South... They would have been tried for war crimes in today's world.
Remember the 1st shots fired to cause the commencement of the war. (Ft Sumner, South fired upon the Forts and the Military stationed there,. An aggression upon the United States of America, the Nation and her People).
Remember the 1st shots fired to cause the commencement of the war. (Fort Sumter, South fired upon the Forts and the Military stationed there,. An aggression upon the United States of America, the Nation and her People).
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The Washington - Lee home remains intact, and is open for tours.
That's the third iteration, which was rebuilt after the war.
Love this!
I’m really looking forward to reading Janet’s manuscript or book when it’s published.
This is absurd! When Federal troops occupied Mrs. Lee's home, "White House," in New Kent County, in May 1862, Mrs. Lee refugeed to "Marlbourne," the unoccupied home of Edmund Ruffin. The contemptible enemy force burned "White House" to the ground. When Mrs. Lee left "Marlbourne," in Hanover County, she went to "Hickory Hill," farther "up the county" from the Ruffin home. Mrs. Lee's son, "Rooney" was at "Hickory Hill" recovering from wounds sustained in battle. Mrs. Lee was obliged to watch while her son was carried away by a detachment of Union troops. It is just like outsiders to get things wrong!
W. H. F. Lee, "Rooney" was wounded in 1863, not 1862.
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I interpret Ruffin's diary to say that Mrs. Lee was permitted to use "the vacant part" of the mansion, implying that there was a part of the home that was not vacant. And that Mr. Sayer subsequently fled. If he wasn't at Marlbourne in the first place, then how could he have fled?
I interpret his diary to say that Mrs. Lee was still at Marlbourne at the "particular" time when Mr. Sayer left for Hanover Court House.
The various accounts of Mrs. Lee are so confusing that theories from the public would be welcome in trying to figure out what went on, what reports were mistaken, and what reports were intentionally misleading.
The quotes from May 25 and 26 are given below.
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"The Diary of Edmund Ruffin" says for May 25:
"Still can hear nothing certain of the state of things at Marlbourne, except that Mr. Sayre has fled from it, & was, when heard from, at Hanover C. H. Gen Lee's family (ladies and children) had been making a temporary home at Marlbourne some weeks ago. The report at Hanover C. H. is that all on the farm were under guard as prisoners to the enemy..."
And on May 26 Ruffin wrote:
"Heard the particulars of the bad news from Malbourne, indirectly, & soon after from Mr. Sayre, who had just arrived here from Hanover C. H., a full statement of the present condition of affairs on the farm."...
"The wife and two grown daughters of Gen. Lee, our Commander in Chief, had before been permitted to use the larger vacant part of the Marlbourne mansion for their temporary home. And thus, strangely enough, these ladies are living in a place commanded by the enemy, & almost within their lines, & and on a farm... Yet Mrs. Lee does not seem the least alarmed.
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If the Confederates wanted to protect property from "contemptible enemy forces", all they had to do was surrender and stop the foolishness of slavery. A lot of property would have been preserved that way. Why shouldn't the White House have been burned to the ground -- it was war. The shooting was started by the Confederates. They wanted to create a separate government via force and they lost. You live by the sword, you die by the sword. It was ever thus.
Thank you.
It is good to hear that Mrs. Lee was treated with respect.
They took Her home are you trying to be cute?
The ordinary Southern House wives were not treated with the same respects... because their names rang no prominence 😮
I'm sure those little old ladies didn't poison their sons' ears.
@@Manfred-cf9rn
They didn't take her Home, she was already at Home, she had been living at White House with her son for some months. The army OCCUPIED her home and forced her out around May 10.
Then they captured her in Hanover May 25, which Ron wants to deny, and took her back to her White House home, where she was IMPRISONED and isolated in her own home as a hostage until June 10. Then they ESCORTED her to Richmond out of her own home. They had to keep her alive as a human shield and a bargaining chip for a prisoner exchange.
John Knox Sneden painted a picture of the White House residence dated May 22, 1862. The caption includes this statement: "Burnt by McClellan's orders during the retreat from the Peninsula." (Virginia Museum of History and Culture, #1994.80.141.C)
McClellan hiding behind the skirts of the enemy general's old wife, then ordering the house to be burned - is that your idea of showing respect ???
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Around 1995 one of my grandfather's sisters had spent over 20 years compiling a history of our family. One of the surprising things was that she found was that we had family who came over on the Mayflower. The other was that we are related to Robert E. Lee and Grant. One of the things she told me was that General Lee lost his citizenship status because the President Johnson who said he wasn't going to let General Lee think of himself as being an American hero or an American at all. Something that Abraham Lincoln would not have done. The I found that very interesting because of how General Lee and the other Confederate generals were so different than the American the Union Generals. Although there were some brilliant ones on the union side like General Grant and General Sherman they were also some like McClellan who wasn't that great. The other thing was them putting the the graves of the dead soldiers which became Arlington Cemetery in the backyard of Grants mansion they wanted him if he ever left his home to see the graves of all the Union Soldiers and now it has soldiers from many wars many American Heroes. But he moved from that home for that very reason. He wasn't able to sell that obviously the American government took it and subjugated it. There's such a rich history there with that family it's interesting that with that history it's like I can see both sides of the issue I know that one of the other family members the offshoots of that lineage a native Indian who also owned the plantation and owned slaves before the uncivil war. I remember meeting an Ozzie in Ireland who was reading a book about the civil war. I didn't realize Australians loved American history so much. I know that I had spent the better part of countless hours cuz I was in Ireland for 3 months so I could spend as much time talking about the things as he would be reading through the book you get to a section and go I need to talk to you about this thing here whether it was the battles of Bull Run or Antietam. Or other ones like that I was able to share what I had studied and learned not only about the generals but also about the people the ones who had fought the wars the ones who's husbands and Sons had died on both sides. The pictures that were in the book were quite stunning. I know it was something that affected all the soldiers on both sides. I remember reading a memoir of a soldier who was firing his weapon killing soldiers who were charging towards their line and he said there wasn't one man on that picket who wasn't crying. Upset that these people coming towards them didn't stop and go away to save their lives. There were people from the Confederacy who wrote about how they weren't out on the fields of battle because of slaves because they didn't own any them run at the Mill men didn't own plantations they weren't part of that group. What an amazing time that was.
That's right. Native Americans had owned slaves right from the very beginning. They enslaved all their captives from battles that they fought with each other, as well as white captives. Later, they enslaved blacks to.
Good Video
They might have treated Mrs Lee well but the average person wasn’t afforded the same treatment
Also remember that the Federals turned their gardens and yards were turned into a cemetery into a national cemetery so that the house could never be occupied again
Also that Lee's Son Sued n Won then Sold it to the Federals.
I am an American Civil War neophyte, This is national cemetery is Arlington?
@@michaelwilson9986 The house you refer to is in Arlington.
The house referred to in this video stayed in the family.
See Wikipedia - White House (plantation)
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You sound upset.
@ no, I’m not affected one way or the other.
This is history and that’s what happened
Oh well I guess I’m upset that it affected thousands and thousands of households all
across this great country, thanks for your question
Here is a note from Lee to Mrs. Lee, written on the same day as the official correspondence about the exchange of prisoners:
Lee Family Digital Archive.
Robert E. Lee to Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee. 1863 June 9.
Dabbs Farm, 9 June ’62
I have returned to my old quarters dear Mary & am filled with gratitude to our heavenly father for all the mercies he has extended to us. Our Success has not been as great or complete as I could have desired, but God knows what is best for us. Our enemy has met with a heavy loss from which he must take some time to recover & then recommence his operations.
I hope you are all well & that Custis is recovering. I send in some clothes, please have them washed for me.
I also want my trunk, left in Custis’s room, to see if I have not some thinner clothes. I have also a pair of spectacles in it which I wish to get. Having lost my other pair. I shall come in when I can but I have much to do & do not know when that will be.
In the mean time I am with much love to all always & as ever
Yours,
R E Lee
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I love Lee, he he was such a gentleman. , an Officer and a Gentleman!!!!
My great great grandfather was Benjamin Franklin O'Rear killed at Malvern Hill with the 2nd Louisiana ( Wheats Tigers .
Thanks for sharing his story.
It’s so tragic that the boys who lived so far in the south had to of the meet their deaths in Virginia… most parents in the south never knew what happened to their sons. Bodies, just dumped in a mass grave.
Thank you!
Thank you
I admire Robert E. Lees wife simply because she was Martha Washington's great granddaughter! Patricia Gambino Harrington (I post on my husband Frank's RUclips account)
George Washington didn’t have any children.
@@stacylester5956
Martha Washington had children.
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Ha! I spent the last 3 yeard driving thru hanover once a month. Beautiful country.
Glad at least one person read my paper. Thanks. LOL
Here are some comments about Mrs. Lee on May 12.
On May 12, 1862, the Confederates were still near White House at Cross-Roads, now called Quinton.
General Robert McAllister wrote a letter on the 13th, and said that General Lee had been at the White House the day before in the morning, which would have been May 12th. He was probably referring to Col. W. H. F. Lee, Gen. Lee's son, nicknamed Rooney, who owned the property. It is plausible that Rooney could have been at White House on that day because his cavalry unit under Stuart was at nearby Talleysville.
If Mrs. Lee and the girls were at Dr. Macon's on that day, then it is logical that he would be picketing the area and was checking on the family and his home at nearby White House. Not only that, his cousin, Major Lawrence Williams, was in charge of White House on that day, and Rooney mentioned in a letter that he had been communicating with Lawrence around that time period, and in connection with Dr. Macon's farm.
The quote and citation are given below this line:
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"Last night after dark we got an order to march... up here to what is called the White House property. It is a very large and handsome property belonging to General Lee of the Rebel Army... General Lee . . . was here yesterday morning, (May 12) as well as his army."
(The Civil War Letters of General Robert McAllister. By James I. Robertson, Jr. LSU Press, Oct 1, 1998. First New Jersey Infantry)
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Thomas Butler Gunn was a war correspondent who kept a diary. On May 12th, he wrote that he had a "visit from Lieut Kerins of the 6th cavalry, regulars." (Thomas Butler Gunn Diaries. Volume 19.)
Major Lawrence Williams, Mrs. Lee's cousin in charge of White House that day, was in the 6th U. S. Cavalry. The regular cavalry means that it was part of the US standing Army already in existence before the war started and originally included men from a lot of different states, including the South. The Volunteer cavalries were designated by the state they were from and authorized by the state governors.
Gunn said he was "taking the road to Richmond, via the White House, the ex-residence of Lee, the rebel general." This implies that Mrs. Lee was not residing in the Mansion on this day, May 12th.
Gun then proceeded to say, "In front of the house we found a 6th cavalry man and the ex-over-seer of the plantation." Again, Major Williams' 6th Cavalry is mentioned. The comment about the overseer confirms that White House was now fully under military occupation. However, Lawrence still allowed the overseer to continue to have some authority over the residence because the overseer was the one who permitted Gunn to tour the house on May 12th where he saw George Washington's table. Mrs. Lee obviously did not occupy the Mansion on this particular day.
Gunn wrote, "After some demur he showed us through the house, which contained some few articles of furniture contemporary with the great American, one a table on which it is said that he ate his wedding breakfast. But the most attractive objects to our eyes were the beds; however we couldn't be allowed to sleep there, nor would the overseer be tempted to accommodate us for the night, pleading lack of room in his house."
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The "Richmond Enquirer" of May 27, 1862, confirms the status of Major Williams and the overseer: "Major Williams, Sixth Cavalry... has had charge of the White House Point Property, and we have already criticised his liberal treatment of the overseer in letting him retain charge of everything and run at large..."
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The New York Times of May 23, 1862, reported that "Mrs. Lee abandoned the premises last Saturday morning, and proceeded to Richmond" and an overseer is left to "take charge of the premises."
"Most of the furniture has been removed. A few books, and some portraits and paintings, were boxed up to-day and taken in charge by Capt. T. H. Patterson, commanding the gunboat Chocura, he making a memorandum of the articles and giving a duplicate copy to the overseer."
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The Washington - Lee House remains intact and is open for tours.
The location of the Lee home in this video, White House, is in New Kent County, Virginia. The land is privately owned now.
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Cool. What was Lees' opinion on slavery? Thank you and have a great week.
I would think obviously he felt it his right, being as how he commanded the CSA
@@BellesDreams
You would be wrong 😮. Lee told Jeff Davis there was no way the south could win. We didn't have the foundries, finances ,ect that the north did. He didn't own slaves himself, his wife did when they married. He also
later freed her slaves.
He finally agreed to command because Virginia succeeded.
In the early years the colonies were like their own separate countries. His father
( Light Horse Harry ) fought with Washington in the revolutionary war. Then everything united. Lee couldn't
bring himself to fight against Virginia. It is hard to understand this these days
This was all before Sherman started his Total War tactics. Burning farms is one way you get rid of armies quickly.
Hell yeah Janet 😎 Hell yeah Ron 😎
I am glad you liked my mother's research!
Actually, I believe that the US Constitution said that the former colonials who joined the Union voluntarily, could legally leave the Union as well if they decided that it was not to their advantage to remain in the Union. And remember, the original colonies were actually independent from each other originally. I doubt that any of them would have joined the early nation of USA had they known that it was irreversible decision, or that they would be attacked and ruined if they backed out. They were deceived!.
I think this might be the document you are referring to:
"Ratification of the Constitution
by the State of Virginia; June 26, 1788."
"... We... the People of Virginia... Do... declare... that the powers granted under the Constitution being derived from the People of the United States may be resumed by them whensoever the same shall be perverted to their injury or oppression..."
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@@bluebird8224 Thank you.
Amen. Thank you
Photos and artwork of the White House in New Kent on the Pamunkey River can be found at the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Civil War collection. Also search White House Landing for pictures of the river with the depot, ships, etc. Some of the pictures are from 1864, or may have been taken in 1862 but published in 1864.
The nice pictures of Cumberland Landing show scenes of the hill with the soldiers, etc. in 1862, a few days before headquarters and the depot were moved to White House.
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Lee believed that slavery was an institution that could not survive. In that way, he was profoundly anti-slavery. His wife, on the other hand, was not so convinced of the insupportability of slavery. Perhaps I'm mistaken, but Mary Custis was a childhood friend of the Powell girls, the daughters (or perhaps the wife of) Charles Levin Powell,. the great grandfather of Katharine Hepburn. Virginia history is very rich, rivaling that of New Orleans, and even surpassing it, as the home of so many of our Founding Fathers. In any case, she was a lucky woman. Lee was a strikingly handsome man, West Point graduate, and good tempered man, erudite and wise, chosen by President Lincoln to lead the UNION army but accepted by Lincoln as leader of the Confederate army, as at least a reasonable, honorable opponent.
Sickening what our government did to their private property.
Are you referring to the almost 200 slaves the Lees owned?
@@kentmitchell1510. Black people were owning black people in the South.
Lee freed his slaves early in the conflict, but could not free his wife's slaves because he didn't own them. Mary Custis did free them eventually.
Mrs Lee was a beautiful lady. She was crippled by arthritis in her later life.
Evidently it takes a while for a wartime society to degenerate into war's inevitable savagery where brutality becomes the norm. At first, the Civil War seemed like such a gentlemanly lark, full of 19th Century ideals of chivalry and grace, with young men eagerly joining up to "See The Elephant" but as the deaths, the hunger, disease and costs pile up, the grim reality of war appears and savagery begins. Contrast the way armies of both sides acted at the war's beginning with their grim behavior after the war was well and truly started.
Interestinng.
You paint a rosey picture. I live in Georgia right next to Pickets Mill Battlefield. They burned down and destroyed most of Georgia.
Should note that the heart attack rate was way more in the Fifties., so that alleged lower poundage didn't always translate to better health.
Heart attack rate? Not to dispute your point, but I'd wager that the heart-attack death rate was likely higher in the 50's. Also more attention now being paid on those conditions, such as hypertension, that often signal higher likelihood for heart attack.
Martha Dandridge married Daniel Custis and had one son, John, before he died. Then she married George Washington. John married Eleanor Calvert and had 3 daughters and one son, George Washington Custis, He married Mary Ann Fitzhugh and one daughter, Mary Ann. She married Robert E. Lee. The White house belonged to John Custis after his father's death.
Today, the government would trump up some false charges against the wife in order to gain compliance from the husband.
There’s another part to this story in Battles and Leaders regarding the “ Lee Tomatoes” when Mrs Lee was sent to the CS side
Yes, Mrs. Lee was given safe passage in "June," "after" she was captured in Hanover around May 25 and taken back to White House until June 10. You don't debunk the allegations of a capture on May 25 in Hanover with evidence of a safe passage from White House around May 16 before the Capture even happened.
One day in "June"...
Lee "told me that his wife and Miss Mary Lee, his daughter, had been caught within the Federal lines at the White House, the residence of General W. H. F. Lee, his son, and he desired me to take a courier and proceed with a flag of truce to Meadow Bridge and carry a sealed dispatch to General McClellan. At the Federal headquarters I would meet the ladies, and escort them to Mrs. Gooch's farm, inside our lines."
(Battles And Leaders Of The Civil War, Volume II. 1887.
Article: “Origin Of The Lee Tomatoes.” By W. Roy Mason, Major, C. S. A.)
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The White House of the Washington, Custis and Lee families referred to in this video is described in Wikipedia - White House (plantation)
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Wish there was a photo of the White House on the Pamunkey River… the Pamunkey Indians lived along the river. What were they doing during the fighting?
There use to be a statue of a Confederate soldier in Pensacola FL. dedicated to "Our Confederate dead". I wonder if its still there.
The executor of Parke Custiss' (Washington's), will was Robert E. Lee. Parke Custis died in 1958. The will required a number of endowments to heirs were to be made before the slaves were freed. Since the liquid funds were not available, Lee had to sell some of the Arlington property, which was at the time in need of repair before they could be sold. This held up the freeing of the slaves until later, as Lee was rarely at Arlington, and was reliant on agents to manage the projects and sales. (Source; Robert E. Lee, by Deron Stearns (a genealogical reference).
Don't you mean 1857?
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Here are some comments about Mrs. Lee on Thursday, May 15, 1862.
On May 15th, the Confederates retreated from Cross Roads (Quinton) and most of New Kent to support the forces at the Battle of Drewry's Bluff on the James River.
Also on May 15th, there are several conflicting accounts about the White House being occupied on this day by Mrs. Lee. She had supposedly been at Dr. Macon's farm nearby since Saturday, May 10th, but the 6th U.S. Cavalry had occupied that place the day before on Wednesday, May 14. The only way to reconcile the conflicting accounts is to conclude that Mrs. Lee did not go to Richmond with her daughters on May 14, and was at Dr. Macon's part of the day on May 15, and at White House part of the day on May 15. If this is true, then Mrs. Lee departed White House three times in all, which would reconcile the confusing, inconsistent and contradictory accounts.
Charles Amory Clark was relieved from guard duty over the White House about noon on May 15th. He had been on guard there since the day before, when he observed the interior of the mansion. I get the impression that Mrs. Lee returned to White House temporarily during his shift, and he was sworn to secrecy, which would explain why he asserted that Mrs. Lee and her family had left on May 14. If the unmarried daughters left on May 14, then that would be a half-truth. Here is his account:
“I was on guard over the White House... His wife and family had departed that morning [May 14] on the last train for Richmond. In the hall was posted a notice in feminine writing, which besought the Yankee vandals and invaders to respect and hold sacred the spot around which clustered so many memories of Washington. In the dining room was a like notice on the dining table, which contained the information that it was the table from which Washington had eaten his wedding breakfast. My orders were to admit no one to the grounds without a pass from the provost marshal-general of the Army of the Potomac. Before I was relieved I was compelled to wheel my guard with fixed bayonets across one of the approaches, to arrest the visit of inspection of a distinguished Union general and his staff, who desired to enter the grounds without the necessary credentials. Every thing about the place was religiously cared for while it was in my charge. In my pocket diary of May 15th I find this entry: 'I was relieved from guard over the white house at about noon. I brought away some simple flowers as mementos of the place which the courtship of Washington made so famous.' ” (Campaigning with the Sixth Maine. By Charles Amory Clark)
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On May 15th, the Sharpshooters arrived at White House about 4:30 p.m. and reported that the building was occupied and guarded. Notice that this was in the afternoon.
"Cumberland Landing... On the 15th another extraordinary day's march occurred, over a very wet, muddy road, the rain pouring down all the time, stopping often at long periods, and accomplishing five miles from half-past six a. m. to four p. m., at about which latter hour we arrived at White House. The roads were in such a bad state that it often required eight or ten horses to move the artillery, the passing soldiers assisting in pulling the cannon out of the deep mud holes. Owing to the difficulty in transportation, provisions were scarce, and short rations in order.
"We encamped in a clover field near the White House on the Pamunkey, 20 miles northeast of Richmond. This building, said to be on the site of the one wherein Washington was married, was occupied, and a guard stationed around the premises to keep out intruders. It was the property of the Lees, on a plantation of 1,200 acres, with better soil than we had yet seen, a part of which was sowed with wheat; and were it not for the existing military surroundings would have presented a very domestic appearance.
"A pretty spot, accessible by steamers and sailing craft from York river; many vessels of different kinds lining the shore close by, loaded with provisions and other necessary articles for the army.
"The railroad to Richmond crossed the river at this point previous to the destruction of the bridge. We were in the midst of a splendid clover field of many acres, while above us, on the opposite side of the road, was a fine old apple orchard of 75 trees. Numberless small tents, amid which waved the regimental colors, denoted the different bodies of troops that encamped around us."
(Berdan's... Sharpshooters. By Capt. C. A. Stevens. Page 81.)
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On May 15th, the First New York Cavalry departed from Cumberland and moved to White House. The regimental history states that the mansion had been "recently occupied." However, Francis Colburn Adams, also of the 1st New York Cavalry, contradicts the notion that the mansion had been recently occupied on May 15. He wrote: "Mrs. Lee and her sister, and a few old servants, yet remained in the house, and solicited protection from us." Maybe they were both right? Maybe Mrs. Lee was not in the mansion in the morning, but she was in the mansion in the afternoon, perhaps with Mrs. Macon?
The account of the White House in the regimental history of the First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry is shown below the line:
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"Early the 15th we were on the way. It was a rainy day. A march of six miles brought us to the White House, and soon the wide level land between the river and the hills was filled with the camp arranged in compact order.
The Richmond and York River railroad crossed the Pamunkey at this place. The Confederates had partially destroyed the bridge. The river was navigable to this point.
"There was a good landing and it was made the base of supplies.
The estate was valuable and was the property of the wife of Gen. Robert E. Lee, a descendant of the Custis family. It was here that Washington first met Mrs. Custis, then a charming and wealthy young widow.
His marriage with Mrs. Custis took place Jan. 6th, 1759, some authorities say at the White House, the residence of Mrs. Custis, others say at the church near New Kent Court House. The Confederates had left the immediate vicinity. In the main hall of the White House was a paper attached to the wall, reading as follows:
"Northern soldiers, who prefer to revere Washington, forbear to desecrate the home of his first married life-the property of his wife- now owned by her descendant, A Granddaughter of Mrs. Washington."
"A house had been recently occupied by a son of Robert E. Lee. The paper would lead one to suppose that this was the house that was standing here in Washington's time. It was learned, however, that the original house had been destroyed by fire thirty years before. This later house was burned when the place was abandoned as a base of supplies. It was an ideal location for a home."
(The First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry. By William H. Beach.)
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Comment continued regarding Mrs. Lee on May 15.
Francis Colburn Adams, of the 1st New York Cavalry, wrote a book called "The Story of a Trooper" and implied that "Mrs. Lee and her sister, and a few old servants, yet remained in the house" on May 15, when their cavalry arrived at White House. This contradicts the 1st New York Cavalry regimental history which claims that the mansion had been "recently occupied" that same day. Perhaps they were both right? Perhaps Mrs. Lee did not occupy White House in the morning, but did occupy White House in the afternoon, by coming several miles back to the mansion, perhaps with Mrs. Macon, because Mrs. Lee did not have a sister.
McClellan had expected to move his headquarters to White House on May 15, and issued orders to that effect on May 14, along with the "Order of March" for all the divisions. So everybody knew McClellan was expected to arrive at White House on May 15. If Mrs. Lee was still at nearby Dr. Macon's, and the 6th U.S. Cavalry had occupied Dr. Macon's farm the day before, then surely Mrs. Lee would have known this also.
However, multiple official records and correspondence support the idea that McClellan was detained at Cumberland until May 16, contrary to Adam's implication that McClellan arrived at White House on May 15. If McClellan did hop on a horse with no baggage, pass a long procession of Divisions and baggage trains in the rain and mud, and arrive at White House at 4 in the afternoon on May 15, then someone else must have been sending and receiving telegrams at Cumberland on his behalf, and then lied about it the next day.
Perhaps Mrs. Lee wanted to confront Gen. McClellan face to face in her own home before leaving it. Mrs. Lee had already lost one home, Arlington House, to the Federals just about a year previously. She was able to obtain a letter from the invading general promising the mansion's safety, but over time there were doubts about the condition of Arlington. Mrs. Lee had grown up at Arlington, which her father had built as a shrine and museum dedicated to the legacy of George Washington. So she had visited with dignitaries from all over the world. Arlington was her home at times while Lee was on military duty all over the country and in Mexico. When Lee was superintendent at the West Point Military Academy, she was again immersed into military life there, so she was not intimidated by West Point generals such as McClellan or any other army officer.
Since her cousin, Major Lawrence Williams, was in charge of White House, and in command of the 6th U.S. Cavalry encamped at Dr. Macon's where she was temporarily staying, then perhaps cousin Lawrence escorted her over to White House to have a little chat with McCellan before he decided to hop into her empty bed.
Excerpts from Adam's book for May 15, are shown below the line:
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The morning of the 15th was wet and misty...
I started with Captain Purdy and the cavalry guard about five o'clock, and after struggling for nearly four hours, and picking most of our way through the woods, reached the White House before the head of the column debouched into the open fields.
About six o'clock the rain began to pour down, and continued until one, when we were all drenched to the very skin, and so hungry. Slocum and other general officers came up, dripping wet, and having given directions to the troops where to camp, were glad to accept shelter in the dingy cabin of an old negro, the few smouldering embers in the great open fireplace affording us a little warmth...
Mrs. Lee and her sister, and a few old servants, yet remained in the house, and solicited protection from us. We at once placed guards over the house and gardens, and the Quartermaster placed a guard over the grain and forage. These were necessary as a means of preserving the property from useless destruction.
We wanted the forage and grain for our own use. And as we asserted that our army came into the South to protect the people and their property, not to burn down their houses and make war on defenceless women and children, placing guards over this little house and garden seemed to me perfectly proper. I always found that the bravest officers were those who were most kind and generous to the defenceless. I have noticed also that officers who were always ready to fight with women for what they would say, seldom or never brought their courage on the battle-field with them...
These guards, however, afforded the ill-natured a subject for controversy and misrepresentation. A number of inquisitive Congressmen came down to see the Army of the Potomac, but were unwilling to share its hardships, and affected to consider their dignity insulted because the guards would not let them enter the house during a rain storm.
As these Congressmen did not wear badges on their hats, and possessed nothing, either mentally or physically, by which a guard could distinguish them from ordinary people, and considering that there were a large number of pickpockets and other doubtful characters following the army, neither the guards nor the General who placed them there were to blame for the wetting these gentlemen had to endure...
It ceased raining about two o'clock, and at four General McClellan came up and pitched his headquarters tents on the lawn in front of the house. We all had a short supper that night, and slept in our blankets on the wet ground...
(The Story of a Trooper. By F. Colburn Adams. 1862)
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Official Records, etc. show McClellan at Cumberland on May 15, 1862, and not at White House until the next day. However, Francis Colburn Adams, of the 1st New York Cavalry, contradicts this and implies in his book that on May 15th, “at four General McClellan came up and pitched his headquarters tents on the lawn in front of the house. We all had a short supper that night, and slept in our blankets on the wet ground.”
If McClellan did manage to come on horseback, a distance of about 9 miles from the Cumberland Estate to White House, on May 15th, in spite of all the travel difficulties, and was able to get past the guards pointing weapons at him, and was surprised to open the door to the mansion and be confronted by Mrs. Lee inside, then he didn't write about it anywhere.
The excerpts from McClellan's biography for May 15 are shown below the line:
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McClellan wrote from Cumberland on May 15, 2.30 P. M: “Another wet, horrid day! It rained a little yesterday morning, more in the afternoon, much during the night, and has been amusing itself in the same manner very persistently all day. I had expected to move headquarters to White House to-day; but this weather has put the roads in such condition that I cannot do more than get Franklin and Porter there to-day. Headquarters, cavalry and Hunt will move there to-morrow...
“I am heartily tired of this life I am leading - always some little absurd thing being done by those gentry in Washington. I am every day more and more tired of public life, and earnestly pray that I may soon be able to throw down my sword and live once more as a private gentleman . . .. Yes, I can imagine peace and quietness reigning once more in this land of ours. It is just that I am fighting for!
“Still raining hard and dismally; an awful time for the men; the only comfort is that they all have plenty to eat.”
(McClellan's Own Story. By George B. McClellan. Pages 356-357.)
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Here is a newspaper article showing a letter from White House on May 15, 1862. It states that Mrs. Lee is "now domiciled at the White House."
It is shown in full below the line:
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The Daily Green Mountain Freeman.
(Montpelier, Vt.), May 23, 1862
Letter from Lieutenant C. C. Spaulding,
Company D of the Fifth Vermont.
(Our War Correspondence.)
From the Fifth Vermont Regiment.
White House Va.,
May 15, 1862.
Mr. Willard:
It was raining quite hard yesterday afternoon when I finished my letter at that date, and I told you that there were no indications of its ceasing. It has rained without stint ever since, is coming down now at a good rate, and beat into us by a driving, chilling wind. But I hear no grumbling, though every body looks surly and cross.
To prevent sickness from this much exposure, especially colds and ague, the medical staff have just issued to the whole Brigade rations of whisky and quinine, and I have heard of none so temperate as to refuse the dose, and not a few would be glad to have it repeated, that is, if the storm continues.
I gave you yesterday a bit of history about our present camp ground, and told you, of course, all I knew, not expecting that I should ever have occasion to write again about these White House people or premises. But I saw a letter to day, that was found about here by some one in the Second Vermont, some of the contents of which are quite interesting and in some senses important.
The letter (without date) was written at Fredericksburg, Va., by Col. W. F. Lee, son of Gen. Lee, to his mother, or "ma," as he terms her, now domiciled at the White House on this place. After a pithy and quite sharp rebuke to his wife for neglecting to write him as often as he expected, the Colonel says, (I give you his very words,) "The many reverses we have met with have not discouraged me."
He may have told the truth then, but the signs of the times indicate that most of the F.F.V.s are tired and disappointed, if they are not discouraged. "The whole people seem to be panic stricken, and vie with each other in circulating the most improbable reports." If the Northern people were "panic-stricken" and "vieing" in that way, I think that some of our Colonels would feel discouraged.
"I must say that the surrender of Nashville by the Tennesseans caps the climax, and I think that Pillow and Floyd ought to be hung for disgracefully leaving their commands." The young man is no fool, if he is a rebel. Pillow and Floyd had ought to be hung, first by Uncle Sam for stealing and treason, and then by old Jeff for cowardice and treachery.
He then, after a few remarks about domestic affairs says, I hear it reported that "pa" is to be made Secretary of War. I shouldn't consent to that, as I do not wish to have him mixed up in polities, but should be glad to see him made Commander-in chief." Ain't he a brick? That '"mixed up in politics" is a splendid idea, for that is just about as bad a mix as most men ever get into. And then his desire to see him Commander-in-chief."
There's pride and aspiration for you by the wholesale. I guess the young man ain't badly discouraged after all, for his F. F. V. blood seems to circulate freely. "Pa" Commander in chief! Ain't that sublime? "Pa" Gen. Lee, going into Little Mac's bag first and foremost, the bell weather of treason! Keep on aspiring young man, but beware the ides of June.
Before closing his lengthy and quite interesting epistle he advises his mother, as a prudent measure, to take an inventory of the White House property, cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, &c. Now, what does that mean? Putting this and that together, the "inventory" and the "not discouraged" sentiment, and we have quite a puzzle. He certainly must be a very prudent young man, or else he had got on the scent of a big mice. Well, if ever I should meet Col. Lee, I am not sure but that I should be just curious and impudent enough to ask him for an explanation of that puzzle...
Yours, &c.,
See. See. Ess.
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👍👍
Mary Anne Custis Lee is our Great Aunt. Of course making General Lee my great uncle by marriage.
Cav-al-ry
You failed to mention the war crimes of intentionally targeting civilians...
After all these years the propaganda continues
@@swarm6697 - It truly is incredible to me. Absolutely incredible. Give it up folks. The war has been over for nearly 160 years. It's okay.
Which side intentionally targeted civilians???? Asking fir a friend
Why would they detain Mrs Lee.
To use her as a human shield.
To hold her hostage for a prisoner exchange.
So she doesn't tell her husband what is going on behind enemy lines so he will know where to attack.
Armies normally restrict travel and communication in occupied areas.
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Won't argue with the comments about ill-treatment of civilians or their property, real or imagined. None of that would have happened without going to war against your own country
Slavery was stopped with out war in England way not here because the elites get richer from war.
This passage describes McClellan's visit to the White House residence:
McClellan's Own Story. By George B. McClellan.
May 16, 11.30 P.M., White House.-
I rode over a horrid road to this place this morning; spent some time at Washington's house, or at least his wife's...
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McClellan didn't mention anything about seeing Mrs. Lee in the White House residence on May 16 when he "spent some time" there.
If he did see her, she must have returned secretly on May 14 with the help of her cousin, Major Lawrence Williams who had charge of White House on that day, in order to confront McClellan face to face about protecting the mansion before finally departing for Marlbourne in Hanover.
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Being that the plantation was solely occupied by civilians the people were treated with due respect and officers in charge also afforded the due respect to a high ranking officers family respect albeit an enemy officer. Of course it would be expected to confiscate the food supplies being stored on the plantation. Had it been later in the war and Gen. Sherman came upon the plantation all would have most likely been burned to the ground, so as the southern army couldn't make any use of the place.
The people were not treated with due respect.
There are multiple accounts of abuse of civilians in the neighborhood of New Kent and Hanover during the spring of 1862, and 1863 also.
For example, the "Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by a Lady of Virginia," By Judith White McGuire. Page 136.
The diary entry for May 24 is shown below this line. This is the very same day, and the very same neighborhood where Mrs. Lee was searched at Marlbourne.
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24th. -
We were aroused this morning at an early hour, by the servants rushing in, exclaiming: "The house is surrounded by Yankees, and they are coming into the house." I rushed to the window, and there they were. An officer in the front porch, and a squad of cut-throat-looking fellows on the steps; while a number, with their red streamers and lances, were dashing hither and thither; some at the stable, some at the kitchen, others around the servants' quarters and at the barn, while the lane was filled with them.
Dr. T. had spent the night with little L., who is ill with scarlet fever. I knocked at his door, and asked him to go down and see what the people wanted. We dressed as rapidly as possible. C. and M. had been up all night with L., and were soon ready to go down. They quickly returned, to say that the officer was Colonel Rush, of Philadelphia, and demanded that my little son Edward should be sent down immediately.
It was in vain that they told him that E. was a mere child-- he had evidently heard that he was a young man, and demanded his presence. The child was aroused from his sleep, and hastily dressed himself, but not quickly enough for our impatient Colonel, who walked to the staircase and began to ascend, when C. called to him, "Colonel R., do you mean to go to a lady's chamber before she is dressed? The boy is in his Mother's room." Somewhat abashed, he stepped back.
I soon descended, accompanied by E. N. and W. S. There on the mat before me stood a live Yankee colonel, with an aid on either side. I approached; he pointed to W. S., saying, "Is that Edward N?" “No," said I; "that is my grandson; this is E. N." He said, "I want the boys to go with me." Looking him full in the eye, I said, "Sir, will you take these children prisoners?" His eye fell, and with many grimaces he replied, "Oh, no; I only want to ask the boys a few questions."
He then took them across the lawn, I all the time watching them; asked them many questions, but finding that he could get nothing out of them, he sent them back, calling them "little rebels," etc. The Colonel had seen defiant looks enough while in the house, and did not return. He asked M. to let him give her a remedy for scarlet fever, which Mrs. Colonel Huger had given him. "Mrs. General Huger you mean?" replied M. "Thank you, I have perfect confidence in Dr. T."
In the mean time his commissary went to the meat-house, demanded the key, and looking in, said, "I want three hundred pounds of this bacon, and shall send for it this evening." Another man went to the stable, took Dr. T's horse, saddle, and bridle, and went off with them. The Colonel was immediately informed of it, seemed shocked, and said, "Impossible;" but on ordering it to be brought back, it was soon returned.
Presently the Quartermaster rode up to the door, calling out, "Mrs. N., three horses were in your stable last night, and they are not there now; the Colonel wishes their absence accounted for." "Perhaps, sir,” replied M., "they have been stolen, as the other was; but as you get your information from the servants, I refer you to them." He rode off, and the whole party returned to their camp.
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Mary Lee was George Washington's step granddaughter.
Technically, Mary Lee was Washington's step-great-granddaughter.
Martha Washington's son was John Parke Custis,
John Parke Custis' son was George Washington Parke Custis.
George Washington Parke Custis' daughter was Mary Custis Lee.
But, George Washington adopted George Washington Parke Custis and called him his son.
By that logic, Mary Custis Lee called herself the granddaughter of Martha Washington.
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They burned the home and pillaged the farm??
different than in 64 with sherman"?
She was in Virginia, not Georgia
Pretty outrageous that Union officers treated traitors and enslavers as if they were worthy of respect. The slaves should have been freed on the spot and the belongings of their enslavers turned over to them.
It easy to say and harder to do.
In July 1861, Gen. Curtis in Arkansas figured out a quick way to free the slaves. He wrote, "I have given free papers to negroes who were mustered by their rebel masters to blockade my way to my supplies. These negro prisoners were the most efficient foes I had to encounter; they are now throwing down their axes and rushing in for free papers."
(Official Army Records, Series 1, Vol. 13, Page 525)
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Given the newly freed slaves would have no food or shelter, the union army usually remanded the slaves to the local citizenry for their care and so were not responsible for their predicaments. Further burdening the citizenry in a time of scarcity.
There are some documents in the Official Records related to that subject:
See: War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume I,
"Military Treatment of Captured and Fugitive..."
The correct volume should have 1065 pages.
Here are some items in the Summary of Principal Events:
May 9, 1862. - Maj . Gen. David Hunter, U. S. Army, proclaims martial law in
Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, and declares all... free.
May 19, 1862.- President Lincoln modifies Major-General Hunter's proclamation
freeing... in his military department.
Cornell University Library has a good Table of Contents of the Official Records.
There are series for both Army and Navy.
They direct to HathiTrust, but the volumes can be found inside Google Books also.
Also a search of the newspaper database, Chronicling America, at Library of Congress for the word "contrabands" gives good results.
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The southern state legislatures wrote codes, such as the Code of Virginia, 1860, which codified the situation with regard to these groups of people, and subjected the whole population to censorship.
"If a free person, by speaking or writing, maintain that owners have not right of property... he shall be confined in jail..."
Union officers didn't write the codes, so having Union officers hand out forged "free papers" did not un-write the codes. It took the overthrow of elected state governments and the overthrow of censorship to promote human rights.
Government censorship and the threat of arrest was the foundation of the whole system.
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If Sherman were in charge he would have turned her over to the Yankee troupes to do as they may with her and her daughter
If you say so, then it must be true.
She taught black people how to read and write should have never been arrested The union soldiers were in many cases committing war crimes were never punished for any of it
Here is the official correspondence from Lee about a prisoner exchange, dated June 9.
Army Records, Series 2, Volume 3,
Correspondence, Orders, etc., relating to Prisoners of War... Page 893.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT NORTHERN VIRGINIA, June 9, 1862
The Honorable Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.
SIR:
I have the honor to forward to the department a letter from Major General McClellan, commanding United States forces near Richmond. With reference to that part of the communication of General McClellan which refers to the exchange of prisoners, I respectfully recommend that the necessary steps be taken to effect it...
R. E. LEE
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Wcs window eggs , burrito, taco and eye meat , Christmas smell with education.
This guy hates the southern cause
That's because the southerners were slavers and traitors to the highest degree. You might find sympathy for the lowest and most ignorant of the bunch. The others? Unforgivable. I wonder where you fall on the line.
There's still a southern cause?
Cactus based leather? Gimme a break, that is a total iie. There is no such thing.
That’s Hillary in a past life,ha ha
The way you describe the scenery of the South makes me wonder what was the civil war really over were the Yankees jealous because they have New York and New Jersey and we have the beautiful South yes I'm sure that's what it was over they were jealous because of the South is beautiful and the north looks like a backed-up toilet
I agree. Virginia was beautiful. My great grandfather’s plantation was beautiful…until the Yankees came into Spotsylvania & burned everything in sight, stole the animals & valuables…
jan 20 2025 things change
This is in 62. It got alot uglier by 64 into 65. With numerous union notrosities
The wife of a traitor
Are we sure this wasn't Jefferson Davis in drag?
Does anyone else have a problem with listening to this mans voice? Nothing against this man,but its like nails on a chalkboard
I enjoy his content and to me Ron has a normal, even pleasant conversational tone. If it was Joy Behar, on the other hand ... I'd be with you.
Why did people look so ugly back in those days?
Missing teeth leave the face shrunken. Maybe older people believed wearing make-up, coloring their hair, and dressing young was inappropriate, slutty, vain, and silly.
You looked in a mirror lately?
I don’t think respectable women of that era wore make up. Dying one’s hair was equally taboo back then.
If you can imagine the lovely facial bone structure of Mrs. Lee with even a small amount of make up and a modern hair style, you might see as better looking than you do now. 🐩
Why are people so ignorant in these days?
@@jadakowers590 Yes, the hair style was awful. The lack of make-up must also be a part of the issue. One eye is larger than the other. Her bridge of her nose was quite long.Her pursed lips don't help her look. I can't tell her age as she looks so ugly that she could be sixty or forty. It would be interesting to see an AI re-make of her in modern attire as composted from this photo.
Thank you for your thoughtful and informative answer. It was an honest question and I appreciate your respectful reply.
After all these years the Propaganda continues
Are you saying it's untrue ?
Which side is which? We talking about happy slaves? It's understandable. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest. People aren't much different. I'm sure some slaves were lacking enthusiasm because that's just the way it is. It's easier to stay where you're comfortable. It's easier to stay with what you already know.
At any rate. I'm not sure what anyone is really talking about.
The wonderful ladies of the south.NOW YOUR TALKING EVIL 😈
Thank you.
Thank you!!!